Can you Dig it?: Top HS Defenders in 2023 (MI)

<!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;<strong>@lshotvb&nbsp;</strong>on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">Join us at the&nbsp;Prep Dig Top 250 Expo</a>! Use code LShotVBExpo2023 for 10% off your registration fee.</em> (APPLICABLE TO ALL EXPOS)</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're well into the 2023 season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things are starting to come into clear view now! Who're the top teams going into the second half of the 2023 season and who are some of the top players around the state?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's ask the question, "Can you dig it?" to these defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'] - North Branch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":448586,"width":298,"height":168,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/Hailey-Green.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-448586" style="width:298px;height:168px" width="298" height="168" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not only is she one of the top libero's in the state, but she may be one of the best players in the senior class. [player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'] (Wingate) has been at the forefront of North Branch volleyball since her freshman year. In her swan song for the Bronco's, Green has stepped it up another notch. Green is no stranger to daunting attackers across the net and can contain some of the best of attackers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='110318' first='Carley' last='Piercefield'] - Lakewood</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alongside Green, [player_tooltip player_id='110318' first='Carley' last='Piercefield'] has been atop the class of 2024 for quite sometime. She's another one of those players in the top tier of Michigan. Lakewood is on the hunt to return to Battle Creek this season. If Piercefield has anything to say about things, she and the Vikings will go out on top of Division II.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson'] - Byron Center</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Put her down as a front runner for Rookie of the Year, [player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson'] is the REAL deal. Byron Center has been quiet since the departure of 2021 grad <strong>Taylor Humphreys</strong> (Rutgers), but not anymore. With the introduction of Johnson to the program and in the libero jersey, the bulldog's stock has skyrocketed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='172207' first='Olivia' last='Behen'] - Saline</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Towards the end of the 2022 season, Saline was atop the best in Division I. A first ever state semifinal in Division I was much to the thanks of L [player_tooltip player_id='172207' first='Olivia' last='Behen'] (Grand Valley). A breakout star last season, Behen has only since continued her exceptional play for the Hornets. She mans the backcourt with an ease hard to come by. Behen just recently surpassed a huge milestone with 1,000 career digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='110322' first='Taylor' last='Smaka'] - Grand Haven</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":455110,"width":219,"height":216,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/NV-Greta-McKee.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-455110" style="width:219px;height:216px" width="219" height="216" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='110313' first='Greta' last='McKee']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grand Haven is very much a sleeper team this year. With young, promising talent at the net, [player_tooltip player_id='110322' first='Taylor' last='Smaka'] (Northern Michigan) brings much needed experience to this team while manning down the back court. A multi-year standout for the Buccanneers, Smaka is looking to go out with a career best finish in the blue and gold. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='110313' first='Greta' last='McKee'] - Northville</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northville is at no shortage of top level talent in the back row. In her first year in the jersey, [player_tooltip player_id='110313' first='Greta' last='McKee'] (Wright State) has embraced the role and ran away with it. McKee is a silent assassin in the back court. While subtle, McKee's game makes a huge impact for this top rated Northville team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='110299' first='Kiley' last='Gallagher'] - Clarkston</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year saw Clarkston just narrowly bow out of the tournament in the quarterfinal, the emergence of the Wolves was large part due to the breakout of [player_tooltip player_id='110299' first='Kiley' last='Gallagher'] (Oakland). Fast forward to 2023, Gallagher has only continued to move up the ladder as one of the top defenders. One would argue Gallagher to be the glue to this top rated Division I team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='110279' first='Gianna' last='Bender'] - Hudsonville</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nothing is more potent than a combination of top notch offense and top notch defense. This has become the combination that has proved huge for Hudsonville coming into this season. [player_tooltip player_id='110279' first='Gianna' last='Bender'] (San Diego State) has really come into her own in the off-colored jersey for the Eagles. Bender is averaging nearly 5.5 digs per set for a second straight season and just recently eclipsed 1500 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bridgit Ruiz - Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year saw the Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart Fighting Irish win their first ever state title in volleyball. A long time coming for this program. One may wonder why, a huge reason is <strong>Bridgit Ruiz</strong>. A breakout junior year has turned into an epic senior send off. Ruiz and co currently sit atop the rankings in Division IV.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='462081' first='Jadyn' last='Samson'] - Mendon</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":411602,"width":239,"height":159,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/DSC09979.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-411602" style="width:239px;height:159px" width="239" height="159" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156291' first='Taygan' last='Corstange']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's not very many underclassman standing out in the back court quite like this one. Mendon has once again rose to the top of the Division IV rankings and a huge reason is because of L [player_tooltip player_id='462081' first='Jadyn' last='Samson']. Samson's relentless defense has taken the Hornets to great heights this season. In a recent match over No. 9 Colon, Samson put up over 25 digs over the ranked foe.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156291' first='Taygan' last='Corstange'] - Gull Lake</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a player that you do not want to see across the net. She's scrappy and never on an off play, [player_tooltip player_id='156291' first='Taygan' last='Corstange'] is at an 11 at all times. Gull Lake saw themselves in historic places a season ago, marching all the way to a Division I Elite 8. This season may see a very similar story take place. Corstange is averaging 5 digs per set and recently eclipsed 1,000 career digs earlier this month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->